Core barrel



G. C. OLIVER Nov. l, 1938.

CORE. BARREL Filed My lO, 193'? 3 Sheets-Sheet l GUY C. O//ve/f ATTORNEG. C. OLIVER Nov. l, 1938.

C ORE BARR EL Filed May lO, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 GIL Patented Nov.. 1,1938 PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

lhis invention relates to core barrels.

'lhe general object of the invention is to provide a core barrelincluding an inner and an outer member wherein novel means is providedfor supporting the members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a core barrel includingan inner and an outer member with means to provide circulation betweenthe members and wherein the inner member is provided with a novel endclosure which aids in producing circulation between the barrels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means forrotatably supporting the upper end of a core barrel.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel means forrotatably supporting the lower end of a core barrel.

Other objects and the advantages of my invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a central sectional view through a core barrel showing myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. l

on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing a `modification of myinvention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional view showing themodification;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6.--5 Fig. 5;

Fig. 'i is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a furm ther modification;and

Fig. d is an enlarged, fragmentary section showing the furthermodification.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters l have shown myinvention as embodied in a core barrel which is indicated generally atIt. .as shown the core barrel includes a shell Il which is connected toa coupling I2 which in turn is connected to a sub i3. The sub I 3 isconnected to the lower end of a drill string I4.

The lower end of the shell is connected to a collar M which has a bit I5secured to the lower end thereof. The bit I 5 includes cutting teeth i3and reamer blades il'. The reamer blades are preferably disposed atright angles to each other and preferably at diiierent distances fromthe lower end of the bit.

The bit i 5 is provided with downwardly directed circulation aperturesJ8 and lateral apertures i9. The apertures I9 communicate at their innerend with the bore 2U of the bit and 'at their outer ends intersect theaperture I8. The apertures I8 at their upper end communicate with aperipheral channel 2I in the inner Wall of the bit I5. The upper end ofthe bit has threads 22 thereon which engage similar threads on thecollar I4. The coupling I2 is provided with an inwardly 5 directedflange 23 which includes apertures 24. The flange includes a hub 25which is internally threaded and which receives a stem 26 which has alock cap 21 secured thereto. stem is provided with a Wrench engagingportion 10 The 28 at its upper end by means of which the stem may berotated. As shown in the drawingsthe lock cap 28 is disposed just belowa shoulder 23 in the sub I3.

The stem 26 includes a cylindrical portion. 30 l5 and a reducedcylindrical portion 3| which terminates in a threaded portion 32.Mounted upon the cylindrical portion 30 I show a plug 31 which is hollowto receive the cylindrical portion and which includes a packing gland3B. 20

Mounted on the reduced portion 3I I show antifriction bearings 39 whichpreferably comprise radial and thrust bearings. The upper bearingelement engages the plug, 31 while the lower bearing element engages athreaded nut 40 on 25 the end 32. A lock washer 4I serves to hold thenut 40 in place.

The outer surface of the plug 3l is threaded to receive the threaded endof a support member 42 the lower end of which is threaded as at 43 3o toreceive an outer core barrel 44. This outer core barrel includes a lowerportion 45 which slidably fits within the bit bore 20 and includes aperipheral shoulder 46 which limits the do movement o1' the outerbarrel. 35

The support member 42 includes a depending ange 41 which includes acirculation diverging member 48 and apertures 49 about the member 48.The flange 41 supports an inner core barrel 50 which is spaced a slightdistance from the 40 outer core barrel to provide an annular circulation passage 5I. The inner core barrel extends as at 52 beyond the outercore barrel and receives within its lower end a core catcher assembly 53which includes an upper member 54 and a lower 45 member 55.

The upper member 54 includes a bevelled upper surface 5S and a rabbet 51which receives a ilange 58 on the lower member 55. The member 54 asshown includes a dove tail peripheral 50 groove 58 in which a rubberlining 60 is vulcanized. The lining 60 includes a dove tail portion 6Iwhich fits the groove 59. The lower member includes a plurality of slots63 in which 4,catches 64 are pivoted. Springs 65 normally 55 urge thesecatches forward. The interior of the core catcher assembly is providedwith a plun rality of resilient lingers 66 which are secured to thelower member 55 as by rivets 6T.

The members 54 and 55 constitute a slip mem ber which can be readilyremoved from the inner core barrel 50.

The interior diameter of the core catcher assembly is practically thesame that of the f core cut by the bit while the interior diameter isslightly greater than that oi' the core. Conn sequently very' litlefriction occurs between the core and the core barrel what friction doesvoccur is confined to the portion adjacent the core catcher slip memberEU.

In use the core barrel is secured to the end oi the drill string andnormal circulation passes down the drill string and th n the space 20between the outer core barrel and the interior of the shell II andpasses out through the apern tures I8 into the hole. Some of thecirculation fluid passes with the core into the inner barrel 50 whenceit impinges against the circulation diverging member 48 and thencepasses outwardly through the apertures 49 into the space 5I between theinner and outer barrel, thence downk wardly and out through theapertures I5. The fluid passing through the aperture I8 produces ineffect an injector action thus assisting to draw the iluid i rom theaperture I9.

The circulation through the core barrel aided by the diverging member 48which 'tends to direct fluid to 'all of the holes 49 thus tending toprevent accumulation of fluid in the end ci the4 barrel.

After the has 'Len the coro barrel is withdrawn and iced from the drillstring. The shell II is then separated from the coupling allowing accessto the core barrel. Adjustment may be effected by removing the cap 29and rotating the post 26 thus shifting the core barrel rela-tive to thebit.

In 4, 5 and G I have shown a modification of my inveifition. As hereshown the core barrel indicated generally at includes shell SI which isconnected at one end to a sub 82. The sub 82 is connected to the lowerend of a, drill string 83.

The lower end oi the shell B0 is connected to a collar 84 which has abit 85 secured to the lower end thereof. The bit 85 includes cuttingteeth 86 and reamer blades 8T. The reamer blades are preferably disposedat right angles to each other and preferably' at diiierent disM tancesfrom the lower end of the bit.

The bit 85 like the bit I5 is provided with downwardly directedcirculation apertures B8 and latere-l apertures B8. The apertures 89communicate at their inner end with the bore 98 of the bit and at theirends intersect the apertures B8. The apertures 88 at their upper endcommuni cate with a peripheral channel I in the inner wall of the bit85. The upper end oi the bit has threads 92 thereon which engage similarthreads on the collar 84.

The bit bore 9U includes a lower reduced bore 93 thus providing ashoulder portion 94 on which .Lztion member; such as a ball race Sii; isinnined. This ball race is held in place by a lof 'ing ring collar 9Dwhich engages threaded portions on the lower end oi' the bore SD. Thelower element of the ball race is engaged by a flange 98 on a collar 99which is threaded to an inwardly directed flange IUC on l: ring IOI. Theflange IUI) engages the top of vthe bearing 95.

The upper portion. i02 of the ring engages an outer element |03 of acore barrel being threaded to the lower end of this outer element. Alock ring |04 serves to hold the parts in adjusted position. The outerbarrel |03 is provided with guide ribs I05 at its upper end and isthreaded internally to receive a closure IGS. The closure or couplingIDG includes a reduced portion III'I which includes a skirt IU8 havingapertures |09 therein to allow circulation passage. To the lower end ofthe skirt I08 I secure an inner core barrel element II2. The closure IUSincludes a circulation directing projection I I3 which extends below.the apertures IUS by means of which circulation is provided between.the outer barrel I03 and the inner barrel II2, the two barrels beingspaced apart as shown.

The inner barrel II2 is provided with a core catcher assembly II'I whichincludes an upper member I I8 and a lower member I I9. The member IIB asshown includes a dove tail peripheral groove i in which a rubber liningI2i is vulcanized. rThe lining I2I includes a dove tail portion I22which lits the groove IZB. The lower member I-IS is shown as includingTa plurality of slots I23 in which catches I24 are pivoted. Springs I25normally urge these catches forward. The interior of the core catcherassembly is provided with a plurality of resilient lingers |26 which aresecured to the lower member I I .f3 as by rivets I2'I. The members II8and IIS constitute a slip member which can be readily removed from theinner core barrel I I2.

As explained the interior diameter of the core catcher assembly ispractically the same as that of the core out by the bit while theinterior diameter of the inner barrel is slightly greater than that oithe core so that but little friction occurs between the core and thecore barrel and what friction does occur is confined to the portionadjacent the core catcher slip member ill.

In use the modified core barrel is secured to the end oi the drillstring and circulation occurs previously described. Some of thecirculation iiuid passes into the inner barrel II whence it impingesagainst the circulation diverging member I I3 and thence passesoutwardly through the apertures |09 into the space 5I between the innerand outer barrel, thence downwardly and out through the apertures 89.The fluid passing the aperture 89 produces in effect an injector actionthus assisting to draw the fluid from the aperture 89.

In this construction just described it will be observed that the entiresupport of the core barrel is on. the bearings and that both the innerand outer core barrel may remain stationary while the bit turns.Adjustment of the inner core barrel towards and from the digging end ofthe bit is effected by loosening the lock nut IIJ4 then turning theouter core barrel after which the lock nut 04 is tightened.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I show a further modification oi' my invention whereinthe bit ISU is provided with a collar I3I which engages a sleeve I3Iwhich engages a sub I 32. The bit is provided with circulation groovesIGS and [34 and its general construction is similar to that previouslydescribed.

The core barrel in 'this further modiiication includes an outer barreli35 and an inner barrel I36. The outer barrel I35 includes a threadedlower portion I3? which engages similarly threaded portion in the bore|38 oi the bit. The

'which a threaded post MU is mounted.

aisance includes a wrench engaging portion lil and a loclr cap M2. Thepost itil is provided with a iiange M3 which engages a ball race Milwhich in turn engages a closure ltd mounted on a coun pling memberl'lli.

The closure lili is provided with a recess Ml in which an unthreadedportion hill of the post Ml entends. The coupling member lit is threadedat its lower end to match threaded portions M8 on an inner core barrelliti. This inner core barrel is threaded to a collar hlt which isengaged by a loclr` collar itt. The collar lili slides in the bore i3dand at its lower end rests on a ball race dill ibi which is disposed ina recess lili in the bit. The core catcher assembly lili-l is shown asidentical with that previously described and comprises a lower memberliifland an upper member liili mounted Within the lower end oi the innercore barrel lh.

"in this further modiiication oi my invention it will be noted that theouter core barrel is mounted on the bit and rotates with the bit whilethe inner core barrel is supported on the bearings itil and remainsstationary. rlhe upper end of the inner core barrel is held against.upward movement by means of engaging with the ball race Mil. adjustmentof the inner core barrel is eiiected by loosening the clamping collaritil and the clamping cap lili and then rotating the in ner core barrelrelative to the collar lill and by rotating the stem hill relative tothe closure lili after which the loclring collar and the loclr cap lili?are secured in position.

The operation of the further modication is L the same as that previouslydescribed and repetition oi a description of this operation is believedunnecessary.

Having thus described my invention l claim:

l. in a core barrel, a stem, means to support the stem, a core barrelsupport rotatably sen cured to said stem, said core` barrel supportincluding a slrirt, an outer core barrel on said core barrel support, aninner core barrel on said slrirt and spaced from the outer barrel, saidskirt having apertures aiiording communication between the interior andthe exterior of the inner barrel and a core catcher on said innerbarrel.

2. lin a core barrel, a bit assembly having a central bore therethrough,a stem, means to support the stem on the bit assembly, a core barrelsupport rotatably secured to said said core barrel support including askirt, an outer core barrel on said core barrel support, an inner corebarrel on said slrirt and spaced from the outer barrel, said shirthaving a plurality oi radial apertures aii'ording communication betweenthe interior and the exterior' of the inner barrel, said outer corebarrel being slidable in said core, a core catcher on said inner barrel,said core catcher assembly including an upper and a lower member, saidlower member having a plurality ot core engaging members,

3. in a core barrel, a bit having a bore, a coum pling on the bit, astem mounted on said coupling, a core barrel support on said stem, saidcore barrel support having a slrirt, an outer core bar rel on said corebarrel support, an inner core barrel on said slrirt and spaced from theouter barrel having a plurality of apertures affording communicationbetween the interior and the exterior' of the inner barrel, said outercore barrel being slidable in said bore and a core catcher assembly onsaid inner barrel.

lin a core barrel, a bit having central bore, a coupling, means tosecure the coupling to the said coupling, a stem core barrel support onbit,`a hubbed spider in mounted on said spider, a said stem, said corebarrel support having a shirt, an outer core barrel on said core barrelsupport, an inner core barrel on said skirt and spaced from the outerbarrel and having a plurality oi apertures according communicationbetween the interior and the exterior of the inner barrel, said outercore barrel being slidable in said bore, a core catcher assembly on saidinner barrel, said core catcher assembly including a plurality oi springpressed catches therein.

5. lin a core barrel, a bit having a central bore, a coupling secured tosaid bit, a spider in said couclins, hub, said stem having a cylindricalportion thereon, an apertured plug on said cylindrical portion, a corebarrel support secured to said plug, said core barrel support having ashirt, an outer core barrel on said core barrel sup-port, an inner corebarrel on said skirt and spaced from the outer core barrel, means toaiiord communication between the interior and the exterior oi the innerbarrel, said outer core barrel being slidable in said bore and a corecatcher assembly on said inner barrel, said core catcher assemblyincluding an upper and a lower member, said lower member having aplurality oi spring pressed catches therein.

t. in a core barrel, a bit having a central bore, a collar on which saidbit is supported, a shell secured to said collar, a coupling on saidshell, a sub on said coupling, a spider in said coupling, a hub on saidspider, a stem engaging said hub, a plug on said stern, a bearing onsaid stem and engaging the plug, a core barrel support threadedlysecured to said plug, said core barrel support having a slrirt, an outercore barrel on said core barrel and spaced from the shell, an inner corebarrel on said shirt and spaced trom the outer core barrel, means toaiord communication between the interior and the exterior or the innerbarrel, said outer core barrel being' slidable in said bore and a corecatcher assembly on said inner barrel.

'l. lin a core barrel, a bit having a central bore, a collar on whichsaid bit is supported, a shell secured to said collar, a coupling onsaid shell, a sub on said coupling, a spider in said coupling, a hub onsaid spider, a stem engaging said hub, said stem having a cylindricalportion thereon, an apertured plug on said cylindrical portion, saidstem including a reduced portion, a bearing on said reduced portion, acore barrel support thread-- edly secured to said plug, said core barrelsupport having a skirt, said core barrel support including a transversepartition forming a chamber ior said bearing, an outer core barrel onsaid core barrel support and spaced from said shell, an inner corebarrel on said sirirt, means to aiiord communication between theinterior and the err terior oi the inner barrel, said outer core barrelbeing slidable in said bore, a core catcher assent-- bly on said innerbarrel, said core catcher assem bly including an upper and a lowermember, said lower member having a plurality of spring pressed catchestherein.

8. In a core barrel, a bit having a central bore, a collar on which saidbit is supported, a coupling, means to secure the coupling to thecollar, a hubbed spider in said coupling, said hub having a threadedaperture, a stem having threads thereon and fitting said hub aperture,said stem having a cylindrical portion thereon, an apertured plugrotatably mounted on said cylindrical portion, a

a hub on said spider, a stem engaging said l" liti liti

titi

core barrel support threadedly secured .to said plug, said core barrelsupport having a skirt, said core barrel support including a transversepartition forming a chamber for said bearing, an outer core barrel onsaid core barrel support, an inner core barrel on said skirt and spacedfrom the outer barrel, said core barrel support having a circulationdiverging projection, and having a plurality of radial aperturesadjacent to the projection affording communication between the interiorand the exterior of the inner barrel, said outer core barrel beingslidable in said bore, a core catcher assembly on said inner barrel,said core catcher assembly including an upper and a lower member, saidlower member having a plurality of spring pressed catches therein.

9. In a core barrel. a bit having a. central bore, a collar on whichsaid bit is supported, a shell secured to said collar, a coupling onsaid shell, a sub on said coupling, a spider in said coupling, a hub onsaid spider, said hub having a threaded aperture, a stem having threadsthereon and fitting said hub aperture, a lock cap engaging said stem andsaid hub, said stem having a cylindrical portion thereon, an aperturedplug on said cylindrical portion, said plug including a packing glandengaging said cylindrical portion, said stem ncluding a reduced portion,a bearing on said reduced portion, a nut engaging said bearing, a corebarrel support threadedly secured lto said plug, said core barrelsupport having a skirt, said core barrel support including a transversepartition forming a chamber for said bearing, an outer core barrel onsaid core barrel support, an inner core barrel on said skirt, said corebarrel support having a circulation diverging projection and having aplurality of radial apertures adjacent to the projection affordingcommunication between the interior and the exterior of the inner barrel,

said outer core barrel being slidable in said bore, a core catcherassembly on said inner barrel, said core catcher assembly including anupper and a lower member, said lower member having a plurality of springpressed catches therein.

GUY C. OLIVER.

